Discovery may eradicate malaria

TROY, N.Y., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. scientists have identified a key link that causes malarial infections in both humans and the mosquitoes that transmit the disease.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scientists who led the study said if that link in the chain of infection can be broken at its source -- the mosquito -- then the spread of malaria could be stopped without anyone needing to a take a drug.

The team found both humans and mosquitoes share the same complex carbohydrate, heparan sulfate, that's a receptor for the malaria parasite, binding to the parasite and giving it quick and easy transport through the body.

"The discovery allows us to think differently about preventing the disease," said Professor Robert Linhardt, who led the study. "If we can stop heparan sulfate from binding to the parasite in mosquitoes, we will not just be treating the disease, we will be stopping its spread completely."

The research, which included doctoral students Melissa Kemp and Jin Xie, as well as New York University entomologist Dr. Photini Sinnis, is to be published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.